Skateboarding legend Jay Adams passes away at 53

Skateboarding legend Jay Adams has passed away in Puerto Escondido, Mexico, after suffering a heart attack. He was 53.

Jay Adams was one of the most important names in the surf and skateboarding team Z-Boys, alongside Jeff Ho, Skip Engblom, Craig Stecyk, Allen Sarlo, Nathan Pratt, Jay Adams, Tony Alva, Chris Cahill and Stacy Peralta.

Back in the mid-1970s, the Zephyr Competition Team used to catch waves in the morning by the Pacific Ocean Park Pier, and hang out in the streets of Santa Monica with their rolling planks.

Adams helped change the face of skateboarding. He added verticality, tricks and maneuvers that were previously considered unimaginable. When Jay got his skateboard into the air, he was also preparing a surfing revolution.

Jay J. Adams was born on the 3rd February, 1961, in Santa Monica, California. At only 4, he was already riding tarmac and waves. He became a founding member of the Z-Boys surf team, but he would rapidly conquer his space and fame in skateboarding.

In the 1980s, Jay Adams lost control over his life. Heroin addiction, assaults and prison were frequent episodes in the last two decades, but he had recently recovered from all problems to focus on healthy living.

Jay Adams, the star of Peralta's "Dogtown and Z-Boys", is survived by wife Tracy Hubbard Adams, as well as a daughter Venice and son Seven.

"He is probably not the greatest skater of all time, but I can say without fear of being wrong that he is clearly the archetype of modern-day skateboarding," Stacy Peralta once stated.